![\"Supercars](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Perth-Super-440-24.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRyan Wood celebrates finishing second at the Perth Super440 at Wanneroo Raceway. Image: Daniel Kalisz\/Walkinshaw TWG Racing<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRyan Wood celebrates finishing second at the Perth Super440 at Wanneroo Raceway. Image: Daniel Kalisz\/Walkinshaw TWG Racing<\/p>\n
The celestial title comes with an equally glorious description.<\/p>\n
According to Toyota NZ, it has been \u201ccreated to bring the GR brand to life beyond the racetrack and build a stronger connection between performance, community and driving culture across the country\u201d.<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old is a product of the Toyota ladder system having started his career in NZ\u2019s Toyota 86 series.<\/p>\n
He then graduated to Porsche Sprint Challenge in Australia before being snapped up by Walkinshaw TWG Racing, graduating through Super2 and into Supercars.<\/p>\n
Wood rekindled his Toyota ties by competing in Formula Regional Oceania at the start of the year before being part of the Walkinshaw Supercars squad\u2019s new Supra era.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting the call about this took me right back to where I started,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI came through the Toyota 86 championship with a lot to prove, and there have been plenty of setbacks along the way to get to where I am now.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s really what this is about for me, it\u2019s never been about being perfect, it\u2019s about not settling and always looking to improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to connecting with more Kiwis through this role, both on the track and off it.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo me, this role is about more than a line-up of high-performance vehicles. It\u2019s less about racing and more about the love of performance and being a real car enthusiast.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a brand guardian, I\u2019ll be focused on how we bring our growing community together through a shared love of driving, through motorsport, owner experiences, track events, genuine performance parts, and even merchandise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Toyota New Zealand chief strategic officer Andrew Davis hailed Wood\u2019s credentials.<\/p>\n
\u201cRyan represents everything Gazoo Racing stands for, progression, resilience and a genuine love of driving,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis journey from the Toyota 86 championship to winning races in the Supercars Championship in a GR Supra, and also winning races in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy in 2026, is a powerful reminder of what our driver development pathway can produce, and it gives us an authentic voice to bring the Gazoo Racing brand to life for New Zealanders who might only know it from the racetrack.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t about motorsport results, it\u2019s about showing people what Gazoo Racing means for everyday driving. It\u2019s about Ryan\u2019s story and the example he sets for young drivers coming through.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s exactly the kind of person we want representing our pathway and connecting with communities right across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wood kicked off his brand guardian duties at a launch event this week at Hampton Downs.<\/p>\n